SKY Perfect JSAT Acquires HYLAS 3 to Expand Multi-Band Satellite Capacity
Japanese group SKY Perfect JSAT has agreed to acquire the Ka-band communications satellite HYLAS 3 from Avanti Communications, strengthening its satellite fleet as demand grows for secure and flexible connectivity services.
Following completion of in-orbit testing and transfer procedures, the satellite will be renamed JSAT-144D and is expected to enter service in fiscal year 2027.
HYLAS 3 brings Ka-band multi-spot beam capability to SKY Perfect JSAT’s portfolio, complementing the company’s existing Ku-band fleet. Together, the two frequency bands will allow the operator to offer more flexible network architectures and higher-capacity services across a broader range of applications.
The acquisition reflects a wider trend among satellite operators toward multi-band strategies that combine different orbital and spectrum assets to address increasingly diverse customer requirements. Beyond traditional enterprise connectivity, the company highlighted applications including unmanned systems, government services and national security communications as key growth areas.
Rather than ordering a new spacecraft, acquiring an operational satellite provides SKY Perfect JSAT with a faster route to expanding capacity and capability. It also underscores the continuing value of geostationary assets, even as attention across the industry increasingly focuses on LEO constellations and direct-to-device services.
For Avanti, the transaction highlights the ongoing strategic value of Ka-band infrastructure, while for SKY Perfect JSAT it forms part of a broader effort to build a more resilient and adaptable communications network capable of supporting evolving commercial and government requirements.